Getting around · Bogotá · Colombia
Getting around Bogotá
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Bogotá is huge and traffic is heavy, so plan days by area: La Candelaria on foot, the north by taxi or TransMilenio. The city's first metro line is under construction, so for now buses, taxis, apps and bicycles do the work. No.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Bus
- Airports
- BOG
- Need a car?
- No
- Travel pass
- TuLlave card
Ways to get around
Bus
TransMilenio is a bus rapid transit network with dedicated lanes and stations, linking the centre, the north and the airport area. It is cheap and fast but very crowded at rush hour; the blue SITP buses cover other streets.
Buy a TuLlave card at stations and avoid rush hours (about 6–9am and 5–8pm), when pickpocketing is common.
Taxi
Yellow metered taxis are inexpensive; most visitors use app-based taxis for security and clear pricing.
Ask your hotel or restaurant to call a taxi, or use an app, rather than hailing one on the street, especially at night.
Ride-hailing
Ride-hailing apps are widely used and give upfront prices; pick-ups are quick in the north and Chapinero.
Cycling
Bogotá has one of Latin America's largest networks of cycle lanes (ciclorrutas), and the Sunday Ciclovía closes main roads to cars. Bike tours start in La Candelaria.
Walking
La Candelaria, Zona G, Zona T and Usaquén are walkable, but distances between districts are long and the altitude makes hills tiring.
Tickets and passes
TuLlave card
The rechargeable smartcard used on TransMilenio and SITP buses, sold and topped up at stations.
From the airport
El Dorado International Airport is about 15 km west of the centre. Taxis and app rides take about 30–45 minutes to La Candelaria or the north, and much longer at rush hour. TransMilenio feeder buses link the airport with the network for travellers with little luggage.
Do you need a car?
No. Traffic is heavy and driving restrictions (pico y placa) limit when cars can be used. Taxis, apps and TransMilenio cover the city, and buses or tours reach day-trip destinations.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral | About 1–1.5 hours by bus | Bus from the Portal Norte TransMilenio station, or an organised tour |
| Lake Guatavita | About 2 hours by bus or car | Organised tour, or bus to Guatavita then taxi |
| Villa de Leyva | About 3.5–4 hours by bus | Bus from the Terminal del Norte or Terminal Salitre, often changing in Tunja |
| Suesca rock climbing | About 1.5–2 hours by bus | Bus from Portal Norte |
| Chicaque Natural Park | About 1 hour by car | Taxi or car via the road to La Mesa |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Bogotá?
No. Traffic is heavy and driving restrictions (pico y placa) limit when cars can be used. Taxis, apps and TransMilenio cover the city, and buses or tours reach day-trip destinations.
+How do you get from the airport to Bogotá?
El Dorado International Airport is about 15 km west of the centre. Taxis and app rides take about 30–45 minutes to La Candelaria or the north, and much longer at rush hour. TransMilenio feeder buses link the airport with the network for travellers with little luggage.
+What is the best way to get around Bogotá?
Bus: TransMilenio is a bus rapid transit network with dedicated lanes and stations, linking the centre, the north and the airport area. It is cheap and fast but very crowded at rush hour; the blue SITP buses cover other streets.